SigMT

Even households in Black Eagle had city water. Water was supplied to the Anaconda Copper Mining Company's smelter. e smelter purchased the water and resold it to the residents of Black Eagle. Paris Gibson liked trees and city parks, so Great Falls has always had neighborhood parks and the premier park—named for Gibson. From the beginning those parks and the two golf courses near the river have been irrigated with river water. is also includes maintaining a sufficient water level in Gibson Park's lake. Rather than building a new water plant at some juncture, city officials have chosen to make improvements to what was already built. For instance, the original 1889 building is now the machine shop. Within this ultra clean facility, several additions with multiple levels have been added, and the filter system building was built across the railroad tracks to the north of the original buildings. Over the years, if a component worked and money could be beer spent elsewhere, it was le. For instance, two manual turn wheels still open and shut water valves in the "head house" at the water intake juncture. Some of the electric lights along walls of the filter rooms are of an early vintage, but if they can continue to put out sufficient light, they will not be replaced. However, the latest technology with modern digital readouts, evaluates for impurities and meters the water as it travels through the purification route. In 2020 the plant treated 4.1 billion gallons of water. A staff member monitors the treatment plant 24/7— even on Christmas. Just last year a new electrical building, a chemical/UV building with 600 ultraviolet bulbs to kill bacteria and viruses, and a surge tank were completed. Phase one of a filter renovation project has been completed, and phase two is expected to begin within the next three years to revamp a 1916 filter. Plant supervisor Wayne Lovelis thinks about maintaining and upgrading for plant resiliency. If adverse events or conditions should ever occur what back-up capabilities must the plant have. For example, generators are always in working condition should the electricity fail. Since 9/11, fences, special locked doors, and a video tracking system keep the water plant secure. Households in Great Falls are not using as much water as they were in the 1980's. Once water meters were installed, people became more cognizant of the water they used, especially during irrigation season. "Great Falls' rates for quality water are the lowest of the five largest cities in Montana," said Lovelis. "is plant has 'good bones'. e improvements we are making now will prolong the life of the plant. We still have additional capacity, should the city grow." With shortages of good water occurring all over the United States, we are fortunate to have a plentiful supply of good tasting, potable water. Furthermore, there's no comparison to the water quality we have today to the water transported to homes in buffalo skins in the 1880's, even though the water in both instances came from the Missouri River. SiG MT 45 A life-long interest in communications made Suzanne Waring first a college instructor and then a writer. She lives in Great Falls and writes about Montana people and their communities. S MT In the new 2018 building, the process of mixing in chlorine and liquid ammonium sulfate takes place before the finished water goes to high-service pumps. Pipe gallery for the filters in the oldest part of the plant.

• Cover